Educating Danielle

by Karen E. Lea

  

Part Six

  

Chapter Twenty Nine

The next week flew by. Monday, I organised Laura's present, arranging for delivery on the Friday at her work. Laura came and saw me when I arrived home from the studio. She related the events of the day. His friend with the coach, faxed over a bill for the fuel used. Mister Faraday had apoplexy when he saw the price. One hundred and twenty three dollars and fifty cents. He rang his friend and accused him of robbing him. His friend said he was lucky he wasn't going to charge excess mileage as well. They argued for well over five minutes. She was sure he wanted to have a shot at her over it, but seemed to think better of it.

"He probably thought it would use the same amount of fuel as his car." I laughed. "After the lunch stop, the way I pushing it along, we were probably only getting about eight to the gallon."

The rest of week, I barely saw the two of them, because of the studio's schedule. We were extremely busy and by the time Friday rolled around we were all exhausted. Friday morning was a bit saner, only two minor jobs in the morning and a chance to clean the studio up.

When I arrived that morning, Cindy asked if she, Charlene and a friend could get a lift to her brother's place at Dural, a rural suburb not far from where I lived. They were going to spend the weekend with him on his horse stud. Telling her it would be fine, with a bit of luck, we may even get an early mark as well.

By two pm, the place looked great, every thing put away ready to do battle Monday morning. Looking at my watch, a plan formed in my mind. I sought out Cindy and told her the lift was now going to cost her. Luckily I was standing out of reach. I told her to calm down and I would explain.

When Daniel returned to school after the work experience, one of the boys asked where he had been. When he explained, they payed out him big time. They called him a liar, amongst other things. The plan was for you girls to meet him coming out of school and show him some affection. Cindy loved it.

Cindy's friend turned up and I put their bags in the Rover. She introduced Kelly, a tiny five foot blonde. A flawless milky complexion, her breasts probably a D cup, but because of her tiny body, looked huge, which she showed off with a scoop neck top. She had a mini skirt on and four inch heel sandals. Cindy said she was nineteen, but looking at her, could easily pass for fourteen.

We headed off putting some fuel in on the way, while Cindy told Kelly what we were doing on the way. Kelly lamented she still hadn't found work; the course at TAFE in Microsoft Office had not opened any doors yet. Cindy told her not to worry, something will turn up.

§§§

Meanwhile, Laura was about to have her lunch, she had filled in around the office for everybody, now it was her turn. She was going for a walk, as the new guy leering at her had become annoying and uncomfortable. She rose from her desk and was about to get her sandwich, when Emma from reception called out, "Laura. Someone to see you."

She went out to reception. Standing there was a guy in his mid forties wearing a suit and holding some paperwork.

"Can I help you?" she asked.

"John. John Cameron." he said holding out his hand, "You are Laura Marsden?"

"Yes." she said shaking his hand.

"Happy birthday. Sorry I'm nervous, but I've never delivered a surprise birthday present before."

"That's okay; I've never had a surprise present before."

"Well, you'll have to come outside to receive it; it won't fit through the door or come up the steps."

Laura looked at Emma, Emma raised her eyebrows. "Lead on."

Emma jumped up and followed, what in hell is so big that it won't fit through double doors she thought.

Laura stopped at the bottom of the stairs, nothing in the car park except cars and a guy in orange overalls smoking a cigarette, who seemed to know John. John had walked beside a car parked at the foot of the steps.

"I'm sorry John, what's so big it won't fit in to the office?"

Emma glanced at the number plate of the car, "Um…Laura did you notice this,"

She said pointing to the front of the car.

Laura stared at the number plate as if in a trance, it read 'LAURAW'. She looked at John and pointed at herself. He nodded slowly and said "Happy birthday from Jeff and Daniel."

Emma screamed. Laura's hands flew to her face and she cried. "My god, he is crazy."

John steered her to the driver's door and started his spiel, "Volkswagen Golf, two litre auto, air, power windows, factory….."

"Excuse me John," Laura interrupted, "You have delivered a car as my birthday present from Jeff Williams."

"Correct."

"I don't owe you anything?"

"No. Mister Williams paid cash and prepaid the service for the first three years."

"He paid cash, how much?" Emma asked.

"I'm not at liberty to say." he replied. Emma dashed off to tell the crowd at the top of the stairs what had transpired.

"Please tell me it's a second hand car. Please."

"Brand new, just off the boat, thirty six kilometres." he said peering at the dashboard. "If you would like to hop in, and I'll take you round the block for a quick run down on the car."

Laura shook her head numbly and sat in the driver's seat. They arrived back in the car park and she parked in a vacant spot. She started to open the door and swing her legs out, "Excuse me Miss Marsden, your phone."

"I don't have a phone."

"Its part of the present." he said pointing to Nokia phone in a cradle on the dashboard.

He quickly went through the basics, "Jeff has the books for the technical stuff, and if you open the console and reach inside."

Laura opened the lid, reached in and pulled out a Visa card. "Best you sign it now." he said offering a pen.

"Nothing else hiding in here?" she said after signing the card in complete shock.

"No. Just the insurance and registration papers, which are in your name. Thank you Miss Marsden, it's been a pleasure."

Laura said goodbye, locked the car and dazedly walked upstairs to the office. She turned at the top of the stairs and looked back at the car, expecting it not to be there. It was there, 'LAURAW' on the number plate. She passed in to reception and showed Emma the phone and card.

Emma shook her head in amazement, "Steve in IT reckons that's nearly a forty thousand dollar car."

Laura's head was swimming, forty thousand dollars. Jeff has lost his mind. Her fear of this being a dream was rising again. People congratulated her as she made her way back to the desk. She sat and nibbled her sandwich, still in shock.

In the office, one person made Laura's life a misery. Debbie, Mister Faraday's daughter. The only reason she had a job, was because her father was the boss. Laura couldn't think of enough adjectives to describe her ineptness. People had moved on, rather than have to work with her.

Debbie sidled up to Laura's desk, "My, aren't we the perfect whore."

"Excuse me."

"Getting a car bought for you, we must be doing something."

"How dare you." Laura stood and glared at her. The thought of justifiable homicide and the consequences passed. Debbie just smirked. Before Laura could think of something to say to the bitch, she heard a mobile ringing, it sounded like Jeff's and it was coming from her desk. It was the phone from the car. She picked it up and said,"Hello."

"Hi honey, it obviously been delivered."

"Yeess. My head is still spinning."

"You okay."

"Sort of."

"Can't talk huh. Get the card from the console?"

"Yes. And you can take it back. I won't use it."

"You can and will. I love you very much. I'm on the way to pick up Daniel. I'll see you at home. Bye"

"Bye." While she had been talking, Debbie had skulked off. The nerve of that girl, crocodiles had better people skills.

The rest of the afternoon went quickly, although Laura seethed at Debbie's comments. Ten minutes before it was time to go, Mister Faraday called Laura to his office

"Ah. Laura. It pains me say this, but since you have moved and now have a boyfriend, he has become quite disruptive in your routine and the routine of this office."

"Excuse me."

"What I'm trying to say, is that your boyfriend has wilfully disrupted this office today, and he has caused considerable pressure on me personally by his actions on the bus trip."

"Pressure?"

"Yes, well…….his donation to the church has caused my mother to pressure me in to making a similar gesture. And not only that, my friend who owns the coach has told me a better driver would've driven the vehicle more frugally."

Laura stood there, not believing this conversation, she wanted to say a lot of things, but instead said, "You were desperate for a driver at the time."

"As that may be, he has been most unpleasant, especially on the phone last Sunday. What future do you think you have with this person?"

"I think that's none of your business, Mister Faraday."

"Ah. I think you should think over what I have said."

Laura was like a pressure cooker. She wanted to run and cry, but stood her ground, took a breath and said, "There is one thing. I would like to take my long service leave, starting Easter, the whole eight weeks."

"I don't think I could allow that……..yes, one moment. That might be a good idea. You could get yourself together and I could put Debbie in to your position, give her a taste of responsibility. I agree to your request."

"Thank you. Good night." Laura fled the room, tears welling in her eyes. She picked up her belongings, went out to the car, left the car park, drove around the corner and burst in to tears.

§§§

 

Chapter Thirty

Cindy was still talking as we neared the school. She told Kelly about Daniel and Danielle, which I wished she hadn't, but too late. "He is so cute, when he's dressed, you can't tell he's a boy."

I pulled up at the school and parked the Rover away from the gate and told the girls to hang around the gate, hoping we were at the right one. Students started to drift out from the school, the girls in short skirts and heels were certainly attracting attention.

Three minutes later, I saw Daniel walking towards the gate, Cindy had seen him too. She nudged the girls and they started to walk towards him. He was walking, head down in front of a group of boys his own age, lost in thought. Cindy called his name.

He looked up, puzzled, then recognition dawned, "Cindy? Hi…….." Cindy wrapped her arms around him and kissed him on the lips. She let go finally and Charlene took her place. "Hi Charlene……"

Soon as Charlene parted from Daniel, Kelly stepped in, "My turn." she said looping her arms around his neck and pulled him for a kiss and a half. After about twenty seconds Daniel decided he better do something with his hands and placed them on her waist. Ten seconds later, they came up for air.

Daniel stood there stunned. "This is Kelly." Cindy introduced.

"Er….hi Kelly."

After a bit of small talk, Cindy grabbed one arm and Kelly grabbed the other and led him to the Rover. As they walked, a senior boy called out, "When you're ready for a real man, I'm over here."

"Thanks, but we've already found one." Cindy retorted.

We drove to Cindy's brother's acreage, a ten acre property where he bred race horses. Introductions all round, Robert invited us in for a drink. We sat around the pool, sipping our drinks and chatting. The girls decided on a swim, Daniel declined, "No costume." he declared.

The girls changed in the cabana. They eventually emerged; Cindy called Daniel over to the cabana. Robert discussed business in general when he stopped mid sentence. "My God"he exclaimed.

My back was to the cabana, but I could see the look of shock on Robert's face. I turned to see Daniel in a girl's floral one piece swimsuit, high cut at the leg, his penis obviously tucked away. He walked to the pool and dived in.

"Well. That didn't take much." Cindy commented as she walked past.

Robert tried to pick up the conversation where he had left off, finally he said, "You came in with a boy? Right."

"Right."

He shook his head. The girls screamed and squealed in the pool tossing a ball to and fro, Daniel being big on squealing. Daniel and Kelly had paired off against the two older girls. Any pretence to touch each other was taken. After half an hour in the pool, they finally left the pool and lay in the dying afternoon sun talking.

After twenty minutes, I called to Daniel that we better go. He reluctantly rose and went to change. Robert told him to keep the costume, it had been left there by someone long forgotten and he looked too good in it.

We all wandered out to the car, the girls all kissed Daniel again, with Kelly finding a full thirty seconds for him.

We headed for home, with Daniel deep in thought. Finally he spoke, "Thanks for the surprise this afternoon."

"That's okay. The girls wanted a lift and it fitted in with you getting out of school." We drove in silence for a couple of kilometres. "Kelly seemed nice?"

"Yea. She's cool."

"Cool. I don't know what she would do if there was nobody around. She seemed to like you."

"You think."

"I think. Do you like her?" He nodded his head.

§§§

Cindy cornered Kelly in the bedroom after their showers. "So?"

"What?"

"I thought you liked girls?"

"And?"

"Well. Daniel's a boy."

"He's cute with a capital C. Not only that, he's really cute."

"You didn't have to kiss him at the school you know."

"Cindy. Can't I like a guy?"

"He's sixteen and you knew him twenty seconds."

"I stand by my original statement, he's cute."

"Well wait to you meet Danielle, she's hot. Today was nothing."

"I'm looking forward to it."

"Anyway, what about Megan?"

"We broke up. She met a forty year old at the club, promised her the world."

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be, she was a bossy, jealous bitch."

"Come on, lets get dinner."

§§§

We drove into our street, ahead was a silver Golf, "There's your mum." I followed her up the drive to the house.

Daniels eyes widened at the number plate, "Is that her birthday present?"

"Yup."

"Now that's cool."

We got out of the car and walked up to Laura as she got out of the Golf, she turned to me "You bastard. Money means nothing to you." she said bursting in to tears.

Taken aback momentarily, I then hugged her, "Calm down, what happened."

In between sobs, she related the conversations from the afternoon. "There must be a special school for people like this; I might have to rip his head after all."

She sobbed and giggled, which came out as a snort. "Thank you for the present, but you shouldn't have."

"My pleasure. You can sleep in on work days now."

Daniel hugged his mum, "Happy birthday mum."

"Thank you honey." she said returning the hug.

"Daniel has had an exciting afternoon as well. He's won a heart." Daniel blushed.

We told Laura of the afternoon's events, while we put the cars in the garage. "Feel better." I asked.

"I guess. I apologise for what I said earlier, but I can't get over what she said to me."

"Maybe it's the only way she knows?"

Laura smiled. "Well it wouldn't be from her looks."

"Forget her, let's have dinner and get ready for our girls day out shopping tomorrow."

"What's this girl like?"

"Nineteen, very pretty, tiny, not even five foot. Nice girl."

 

Chapter Thirty One

Laura made dinner while I helped Daniel with his false boobs. He put on the sports bra, a T shirt, skirt, lipstick and mascara. He brushed out his hair and there stood Danielle.

Dinner out of the way, Danielle went to the bathroom for nail polish, did her toenails and her own nails after shaping them. She fetched my false nails, while I attached them; she painted my toenails, then my nails. We took Laura home and went to bed ourselves.

Next morning, far away, I could hear, "Aunt Karen, wakey wakey." The voice vanished, then returned, "Aunt Karen, wakey wakey." My eyes slowly opened to Danielle standing beside the bed dressed, makeup done. "At last, I didn't think you were going to wake-up?"

"Wos the time?"

"Seven forty five."

"What." I exclaimed sitting upright, "Why didn't you wake me earlier?"

"It wasn't through lack of trying."

"Sorry."

"It's okay; I've got your clothes out ready."

"I've always wanted a maid." I said getting out of bed.

"Well keep looking; I've got better things to do, than look after you."

"My. Don't we have airs?" I said laughing heading for the ensuite and shower.

"What do you want for breakfast?" she asked.

"Toast and OJ." I called out as I shut the door.

Showered and dried, I came out to the bedroom and sat at the dressing table and did my makeup. Then a tight fitting panty, my 18D bra and falsies to suit. Waist cincher and a black above the knee skirt. My earrings, necklace, bracelets, watch and rings quickly slipped on, and then the three quarter crimson blouse. Spritzing perfume on my wrists and chest, I checked my appearance, happy; I headed for the kitchen after finding some flat shoes. There was some serious walking involved today.

"You look great." Danielle said as I walked in to the kitchen.

"If I look great, you're absolutely terrific."

"Thank you." she said demurely.

"This is not stressing you is it, changing sex every weekend is it?"

"No, but I wish I could stay dressed for longer periods."

"You'll get there, don't worry." We talked about places we would visit today, hoping we would find a dress for the wedding. We finished our breakfast; I washed up, and I checked my lipstick, while Danielle went to find her mum, after warning her to enter by the back gate.

Ten minutes later, we were all standing out at the garage. I insisted Laura take her new car. Reluctantly she agreed, but was nervous. We arrived in the centre of the city forty minutes later; we parked the car in the basement of the QVB. The quest commenced.

After two hours and hundreds of dresses on racks, we were beginning to despair that anything would be right. Nothing seemed to click. We stopped for a coffee and a break from walking. Coffee break over, we checked our makeup and continued the search.

Two shops later, we found two dresses that were promising. Danielle tried the red one on first, a halter neck with the bodice covering her breasts just leaving a hint of cleavage. It flared out over her slim hips to just above the knee. Simple but elegant. Next she tried on the black dress, Scoop cowl neck with spaghetti straps, a silver fleck through the material. The hem on the right side was just above the knee flowing across to the left side below the knee. Sophisticated and chic.

Now we couldn't make our mind up. The saleswoman fussed and cooed around Danielle saying how good she looked. We hummed and hahed, they were both very nice. "We'll take both." I finally said.

"Karen. She can be happy with one or the other."

"No. We'll take both."

Danielle changed, while we had the sale rang up. I convinced Laura to use her new credit card. "Easy." I said.

"Too easy." she replied.

We headed for a shop that sold shoes for special occasions. We showed the salesgirl the dresses and she bought out some four inch black satin pumps and a small matching handbag. Danielle tried on the shoes. Perfect first go. For the red dress, we bought a pair of red sandals with ankle strap with a four inch heel. Now we were getting somewhere, we decided on a lunch stop and rest our weary feet.

Entering a small café in Centrepoint, we heard a little voice calling out, "Aunty Dani, Aunty Dani, over here." Timothy and his mum were seated in a booth at the back. He rushed to Danielle; she scooped him up and carried him back to the booth. Laura and I followed and said hello to Marcie. They had just sat down and she asked us to join them. Timothy was telling Danielle every thing rapidly as possible that had happened to him since the wedding.

Marcie commented that Daniell will make an excellent mum, but may have trouble with such narrow hips. We nodded our heads knowingly. Lunch ordered, Timothy loudly announced that he wanted to go to the toilet. Marcie rolled her eyes, "That's the third time in two hours."

"I'll take him." Danielle offered.

"Thank you."

They wandered off hand in hand. "She's a sweet girl, nice manners…..I have a friend with a seventeen year old daughter, swears like a state trooper, doesn't lift a finger around the house, it's nice to know there are good kids like Danielle around."

"Yes, she's a good kid." Laura said.

"Mum told me the other day, she's only sixteen?"

"She's very grown up in her approach to things." I said.

"I wish I had a daughter." Marcie lamented, "I nearly burst in to tears when they told me I had a son, I was so sure I was having a girl. I think every mother wants a least one daughter. Don't get me wrong, Timothy is wonderful, but we keep trying for another child."

The conversation was interrupted by our lunch being served and the return of Danielle and Timothy. "Aunt Karen?"

"Yes."

"That woman out in the mall, the one near the pillar, lots of makeup."

"Yes, I see her."

"She asked me if I wanted to be a model, I said no, and then she followed me back here."

"Mummy. Danibell sits down in the toilet like you."

"I'm sure she does dear, and her name is Danielle." Timmy happy in that piece of information being imparted, tucked in to his sandwich."

While we ate, the woman was still waiting outside the café. We finished our coffee and checked our makeup and redid our lipstick. Timmy wanted to do the same; Danielle put a little powder on his nose which seemed to satisfy him. We paid the bill and stood to leave; kissing Marcie and Timmy, Danielle told Timothy she would see him during the school holidays.

Finally saying goodbye and entering the mall, the woman pounced on Danielle, "I don't think you understood me earlier, I can help you in to the modelling business. You could make a great deal of money with your looks. If you sign a contract today, we will do a portfolio for you for at half price……"

"I'm sorry," Danielle interrupted, "But I'm not interested, I have a portfolio and contacts already." Silently congratulating Danielle on keeping a level head and putting the woman in her place, I moved closer to intervene.

She spoke, "Ah, but we have much better contacts, who did your portfolio?"

"Starburst."

"I don't like to denigrate people, but you couldn't have picked a worst place, they know nothing. How much did they charge for your portfolio?"

"Nothing."

"Who do you work for?" I asked.

"Sid Nolan's Agency, but that's none of your business." she answered haughtily. I might have guessed, Sid Nolan was a fat, balding, lecherous prick and that was being nice. After a six month contract, nobody signed for a second term, most of the girls didn't want to model again. "It is my business, that's my brother you are slandering." I said my voice hardening, trying hard to keep Karen's voice.

"And you are?"

"Karen Williams, my brother owns Starburst and this is his daughter."

"Oh." The woman's smile faded.

"Come on honey." I said grabbing Danielle's hand and storming off with Laura in our wake. I was ready to throttle the woman and I wanted to get away from her.

"That was nice." said Danielle. I looked at her eyebrows raised.

"Well, to be called Jeff's daughter." she said smiling.

"You'll always be Jeff's daughter." I said hugging her.

We went to a lingerie shop for new underwear to suit the new dresses. First we found a red halter neck bra and matching panties, and then after a search, a black strapless bra, panties and pantyhose. Purchases paid for, we headed for the car and home.

 

Chapter Thirty Two

Laura drove in to the garage and parked next to the Rover. We unloaded the purchases and took them to Danielle's room and hung the clothes, removed the tags from the underwear. Putting the shoes in to the wardrobe, Danielle announced she had homework to do on the computer. Laura asked me to come down to her house to help her.

We let ourselves in through the back door and in to the kitchen. I closed the door and Laura said "Its Karen's turn." We kissed, our lipstick mingling, she dragged me to the bedroom.

One hour later, we lay on the bed, me in my bra, waist cincher and wig. Laura was naked, cuddled in to me.

"Your makeup is a mess." Laura giggled.

"Yours is not much better."

We lay there kissing and cuddling, when Laura had a thought, "The wedding next week, I think I found a way around our little problem. Jeff and Daniel couldn't make it at the last minute because of a special job."

"Hmm."

"So, Jeff's sister Karen and her daughter Danielle take their place."

"I didn't know I knew a genius."

"You like that solution."

"I love it." I had barely said it, and the back door slammed.

"Oh my god." Laura said jumping from the bed, grabbing her robe. We heard the footsteps go to Daniel's room and then retreat, and the back door slammed again. "My son dressed as a teenage girl, nearly catches me bed with my boyfriend, who's dressed as a woman."

"Sounds like a headline out of a tabloid." I agreed. We retrieved our clothes, redressed and I repaired my makeup, found my shoes, pecking Laura on the cheek on my way out.

I found Danielle on the internet in the study. She looked up and said "Hi, help mum okay."

"Yep, fine." Danielle giggled. "What's so funny?" I enquired.

"Nothing."

"You think it's funny."

"I think it's great. I bet we'll all be living together by the end of the month."

"Would you like that?"

"You bet."

"Well, I have to go turn back in to Jeff for tonight and you had better think about getting ready yourself. Are you going to wear the red or black dress?"

"I think the red one; keep the black one for the wedding." We went our separate ways to shower and dress.

 

Chapter Thirty Three

Emerging forty minutes later, I sat in the lounge and read a magazine waiting for Danielle. Twenty minutes later she glided in to the room, she was stunning; with a capital S. "You look great."

"Only great. I was going for stupendous. Do I pass muster?"

"Okay. I'll admit stupendous and yes. You obviously learnt some things from Cindy."

"Yes, and a bit of practise and experimenting after school."

"It certainly paid off. Let's go and get your mum." We went down to the house, entered through the rear door and waited for Laura. She came out a few minutes later dressed in a little black dress and four inch sandals. She looked beautiful. Danielle turned towards her mother, who let out a gasp of surprise. "He was going for stupendous."

"It worked." she replied.

A car horn sounded, announcing the arrival of the cab I had booked. Ten minutes later we were pulling in to a five star hotel, which had a nice restaurant attached. I paid the cab and entered the restaurant hand in hand with both of them. The maitre d led us to our table and every male eye in the crowded restaurant followed us, even some jealous female eyes.

Two waiters rushed over to seat Danielle and Laura. We ordered champagne and studied the menu. The wine was served while we still made decisions on what to have. Danielle giggled as the bubbles tickled her nose and finally we gave our order to the waiters. When our meal was served, we ate and chatted.

Just as we finished the main meal, a small band had started to set up near a small dance floor. Sipping my wine, I was watching the drummer putting his kit together when a young man approached our table, "Excuse me." he said.

Danielle looked in his direction, she started, and putting her hand to her chest and a small gasp left her lips.

"I'm sorry…..I didn't mean to….startle you."

"You caught me unawares." Danielle answered blushing.

I studied the young man, eighteen maybe, six foot, and well dressed, black wavy hair. Not ugly by any stretch of the imagination. I was trying to work out Danielle's reaction to him; she was like she had seen a ghost. The confident young man that approached the table was no more, he stammered, "Um….I was hoping….when the band starts……would you have the first dance with me?"

Danielle sat there for a second, her mouth opened and closed as if to say something. "I'm sure she would." Laura answered for her.

I stood up and shook his hand, and introduced myself, "Jeff."

"Greg…..Greg Wilson." he replied.

"This is Danielle and her mum Laura." They said hello in unison.

"Danielle. Time to powder our noses." They rose and left the table, heading for the ladies.

§§§

The girls heels cluttered on the tiles as they entered the ladies. Laura turned and faced Danielle, after checking they were alone, "Honey what's the matter, you were like you saw a ghost out there."

"Not quite, Greg is the school captain; I was shocked when I looked up and saw who it was."

"And?"

"I was afraid he would recognise me."

"Hell. I don't recognise you, there's two years difference between you, plus, he wouldn't even know who Daniel Marsden is, let alone recognise you."

"I guess."

"I think you were shocked that a boy came over and asked for a dance, weren't you?" Danielle nodded.

"Honey, boys are attracted to pretty girls and you are prettier than most, and to top it off, you look twenty tonight."

"Mum, I don't to want to attract boys." Danielle whispered.

"Not every girl who goes out wants to attract boys either, but it happens. Just remember you are in control. I wish I had let you dress when you were younger and let you grow up in this over a period of time. But the places we have lived in over the years probably would have made it impossible."

"Oh mum." Danielle said hugging Laura. They moved towards the stalls and business attended to, checked their makeup.

"Tomorrow, I think we have a mother daughter talk, okay."

"Yes mum."

"In the meantime have a dance, enjoy yourself, Jeff and I will always be there to help you."

"I'm just nervous."

"You'll be okay, remember, you are in control." Before Danielle could answer, two girls entered. They picked up their handbags and headed for the door. Laura reached for Danielle's hand and gave it a squeeze and they headed for the table.

§§§

I looked up as Laura and Danielle walked up to the table, raising an eyebrow in Laura's direction, she answered, "Greg's the school captain, she freaked when she saw who it was."

"Ahh hah." We listened to the band tune up, then launch in to their first song. Greg was back in an instant and escorted Danielle to the dance floor. They danced through two songs, and then Laura and I joined them for the next two. We went back to the table for the dessert and coffee. Greg seated Danielle at the table and after promising another dance to him, he went back to his table.

"Well?" Laura asked.

"I'm not entirely comfortable, but it's okay."

Danielle had just finished her dessert and was sipping her coffee, when a guy in his early twenties, appeared as if by magic beside the table. Introducing himself as Wayne, he asked politely for a dance. She accepted, touched her lips lightly with the napkin, rose from the table and allowed herself to be led to the dance floor. While this had been happening, I had noticed Greg heading in our direction, then turn back with a disappointed look on his face and return to his table.

Wayne and Danielle danced a few songs, and then Greg approached them to cut in. This did not suit Wayne, who must have told Greg impolitely to buzz off. An argument ensued on the dance floor. Danielle looked mortified and backed away. "Rescue time. I'll pay the bill, you grab her and take her outside and find a cab."

We rose from the table. Laura quickly herded Danielle away from the melee, while waiters stepped in to stop the argument. By the time it was sorted out, we were gone. Luckily there was a cab at the door and we were quickly home.

We stumbled in to my lounge room. We all took a deep breath. "I'm sorry mum; I ruined your night out." Danielle said.

"You didn't ruin my night out, you did nothing wrong honey. Anyway, we had a nice meal and know we're home where I am more comfortable, waiting for Jeff to offer me a drink."

"Uh…..sorry." I said jumping to attention and going to the kitchen.

"See honey, there's lots to teach you about men." Laura said laughing.

"If this is going to turn in to a girl's bitch night, I'm going to change." I said sticking my head out of the kitchen. They both giggled. We drank a glass of wine and talked about the night before seeing Laura home and turning in for the night.

After breakfast next morning Laura and Danielle had a mother/daughter/son talk. We also discussed the wedding which was next Saturday and the finer details of the trip. I told them I had booked hair appointments Friday morning for the both of them and a motel at Bowral for Friday and Saturday night. We told Danielle the plan, which she loved.

We commenced our week excited about our trip the next weekend and a big weekend for Laura, meeting the family for the first time in sixteen years.

 

End of Part 6 (to be continued)

This story is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  

  

  

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